Registration and Welcome Coffee

Welcome and Introduction

Anja Lange

Moderator,

IDC Opening Keynote

Neil Ward-Dutton

Vice President, AI and DX European Practices, IDC

End User Keynote: From Zero to Impact? Reflections on Structuring AI Programs for Value

The presentation will outline the Südzucker Group’s AI transformation programme, launched in 2025, and demonstrate how a shared yet adaptable AI technology strategy can be developed. The focus is on the goal of broadly empowering employees in their use of AI while simultaneously increasing efficiency in production, operations and business processes in a targeted manner – using different technologies (not just GenAI) and deployment models in a rapidly evolving technological world.

Dr. Michael Schuhmacher

Head of Artificial Intelligence, Südzucker Group

Host Strategic Session

End User Keynote: Artificial intelligence caught between innovation, data and trust

Artificial intelligence and modern data analysis open up new possibilities for police and security authorities. The Hamburg Police Department demonstrates how technological innovation can be used responsibly – in accordance with data protection, regulatory requirements and the demand for digital sovereignty. A concrete practical example illustrates how modern technologies strengthen the police’s ability to act in digital spaces while also ensuring trust.

Daniel Steinlandt

Strategischer Leiter IT, Polizei Hamburg

Coffee Break & Networking

End User Panel: Scalable application of agentic AI – managing innovation and integration

Strategic Session

Tech Talks

End User Keynote: Next-Gen AI Agents: Transforming the way we think, work and communicate

Artificial Intelligence agents are rapidly evolving from theoretical concepts into practical tools that drive innovation across industries. AI Agents are increasing work efficiency and productivity across the business units of a company. However, upskilling with AI Education is extremely important to achieve the true potential of AI Agents and achieve higher adaption rate. In this session, I will share firsthand experiences and insights on developing AI agent Hub within Dish to empower business units, automate workflows, and unlock new value for customers. I will share insights from Sales to customer support how business stream focussed AI Agents made Dish to be not just efficient but also cost-effective.  We focussed on RoI driven AI transformation from day one, which is critical to gain the management trust. I will also address best practices for scaling AI agent solutions, challenges faced during implementation, and future trends that may shape the next generation of intelligent enterprise tools. Whether you are a developer, business leader, technologist or even a C-level management, you will come away with actionable knowledge and inspiration to leverage AI agents for transformative business outcomes

Dr. Pankaj Kumar Mishra

Global Head of AI Product, Metro.digital

End User Keynote: Why AI projects get stuck in companies: What really prevents successful implementation

Most AI projects fail not because of the technology, but because the company is not ready for implementation. Pilot projects cannot be rolled out if departments do not take responsibility, operational structures are lacking, data is scattered and AI results are not incorporated into real work processes. Based on the experience of Lufthansa Group Business Services, this presentation shows how companies can move from individual experiments to beneficial AI capabilities – through targeted work on organisation, architecture and responsibilities.

The most important takeaways from the presentation are:

• AI projects usually fail not because of the technology, but because of a lack of preparation within the company.
• Common problems: departments do not take responsibility, operational structures are lacking, data is scattered, no integration into work processes.
• The presentation shows the path from pilot projects to scalable AI capabilities.
• Focus on organisation, system architecture and clear responsibilities.

Carlos Diaz

Head of Data Analytics & AI, Lufthansa Group Business Service

Pitches for the Connect Roundtable Sessions in the afternoon

Lunch & Networking

End User Keynote: AI for smart citizen services and document processing

The presentation provides a brief overview of AI applications within Munich’s city administration, such as the automated processing of citizen enquiries and the optimisation of administrative processes – both within the administration and in contact with citizens. The architecture of the AI systems and the underlying technologies will also be presented.

Leon Lukuas

Leiter KI Competence Center, Landeshauptstadt München

Connect Roundtable Sessions

End User Keynote: Culture beats technology: our path to AI maturity

Technology is only half the battle – without the right culture, any AI initiative will remain a pilot project. This presentation highlights how we managed to transform a service company with no prior AI experience from having “no AI expertise” to becoming an AI-ready organisation. The focus is on the human and organisational factors that make the difference: Mindset and acceptance: How we overcame scepticism and built trust. Competence development: Reskilling programmes and AI literacy for all levels. Governance and structures: The formal framework for sustainable AI use.

Mike Abé

Head of Data Strategy and AI, Dussmann Group

Coffee Break & Networking

Tech Pitch Panel

End User Keynote: Understanding travellers with artificial intelligence – and the role AI agents play in this  

In long-distance transport, 8 million customer feedback responses are collected each year from a wide variety of touch points. Using AI models, this information is processed in real time and made available to the relevant units, such as train crews, thereby increasing customer satisfaction and improving the customer experience.

Dr. Axel Schulz

Head of AI and Data Intelligence Center, DB Fernverkehr

IDC Closing Keynote

Giovanni Cervellati

Research Manager, Data & AI, IDC Europe

Wrap Up & Closing

Anja Lange

Moderator,

Networking with Drinks and Finger Food